Extracted Text

The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

Col. Bryan: The domestic scenes of the family are sacred andshould not be held up to the public view, and I am not willing todiscuss them. I will say, however, that for intelligence, purity,truthful simplicity, genuine refinement, unaffected cordiality andAmerican courtesy, no family in the best days of the Republic hassurpassed the present occupants of the White House.Reporter: From what you know or believe regarding the Presi-dent's purposes and motives, and regarding the exigencies of hisadministration with respect to congressional support, under thethreatened opposition of a large disaffected element of the Re-publican party, what do you think should be the attitude of theSouthern people and their representatives in Congress? Whatabout election of speaker?Col. Bryan: I think that the attitude of the Southern peopleshould be most friendly to the President, and on all proper occa-sions and in suitable ways they should make it manifest.I think the Southern Congressmen on all questions where thePresident is right should sustain him heartily, and that they shouldwithout delay so advise him, through mail or otherwise. So faras the election of Speaker of the House is concerned, I do notbelieve the President has had or will have anything to do with it,any more than he has to do with making of new parties. But theseremarks and all others previously made are mine; I do not pro-fess to speak for any one but myself.Reporter: The Mexican is said to be engaing the serious atten-tion of the President and his cabinet. Your name having beenurged by many friends for the Mexican mission, you doubtless tookoccasion to familiarize yourself with the views prevailing at Wash-ington, in relation to Mexico, and especially in relation to theclaims and interests of Texas touching frontier protection on theRio Grande. If compatible with propriety, will you be so goodas to speak freely on these topics?Col. Bryan: I believe that the interests of Texas will be morecarefully looked after, better protected, and more summarily dealtwith than heretofore. The condition of Mexican affaris wouldforbid any change in that mission. Diaz has not been recognizedby the United States and Lerdo is said to be plotting his over-throw.Reporter: What impressions have you as to the feeling in ad-ministration circles touching aid to internal improvements in theSouth, and especially aid to the Texas and Pacific Railroad?Col. Bryan: I think there is a good disposition to favor in alegitimate way works of internal improvement in the South. Ifthe South could unite on a fair plan for a Pacific road, free fromjobbery, I think the measure would receive hearty support.